History
The Paul Smith's College VIC opened in 1989 as a state-funded facility -- one of two centers created by New York State so local residents and visitors would get to know the natural ecosystems of the six-million acre Adirondack Park. For two decades, the Paul Smiths VIC served both tourists and local residents, providing a wide range of public programs, many of them free, thanks to tax-payer funding. New York State curtailed funding to both visitor centers in 2010. In 2011, Paul Smith's College, which owns the land on which the VIC building is located, agreed to take over the Paul Smiths VIC. Many of the programs that made the Paul Smiths VIC popular under state management have continued under Paul Smith's College management, with free public access to the trails in the warmer months and an expanded, fee-based winter trail network for skiers and snowshoers in the winter.
Specialties
The 3,000-acre Paul Smiths VIC features interpretive and back country trails that showcase the natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains and provide unparalleled opportunities to view, hear, photograph, and enjoy nature. Use of the trails is free during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter, the VIC becomes a cross country ski center with 25 miles of groomed trails for traditional cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and skate skiing; day and season passes may be purchased. Throughout the year, the VIC offers a wide variety of free and fee-based environmental education, arts, and outdoor recreation programs, including bird walks, naturalist-guided trail walks and paddles, mushroom walks, children's nature programs, art exhibits, concerts, lectures, workshops, and trail runs. The VIC also hosts the annual Great Adirondack Birding Celebration on the first weekend in June. The VIC's Native Species Butterfly House is open seven days a week in the summer. Free admission.